Seattle Animal Shelter news and events

Archives for August 2016

Eighteen kittens took over City Hall today, renamed “Kitty Hall” for the third consecutive year in a proclamation by Mayor Ed Murray. The annual Kitty Hall event showcases the Seattle Animal Shelter’s adoptable kittens and highlights the benefits of cat ownership. This year’s event featured the return of the much loved kitten tent, in which the public was invited to play with and cuddle with the kittens.

As the event got underway, two kittens visited Mayor Murray in his office before the Mayor arrived to tour the Kitty Hall event and greet attendees. New this year, Seattle Animal Shelter staff processed on-site adoptions, which allowed four kittens to go home with their new families. Shelter staff and volunteers provided a photo booth for eager kitten cuddlers while they were waiting in line, and they offered attendees information about shelter programs and services.

And this year’s Kitty Hall introduced the inaugural “Kitty Council” – three adoptable adult cats campaigning to be the “Kitty Council president” – with platforms such as low-cost spay and neuter services, pet licenses for Seattle’s cats and kittens and, of course, tuna with every meal for every cat in Seattle. Attendees voted for their favorite candidate by making donations, and “Tess,” a 4-year-old domestic shorthair mix, was named the first Kitty Council president.

The kittens that were not adopted at Kitty Hall are now available for adoption at the Seattle Animal Shelter. Tess and the other members of the Kitty Council are in foster care, and adoption inquiries may be made to the shelter.

The Seattle Animal Shelter, located at 2061 15th Ave. W., is open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. for adoptions and licensing. For more information, call 206-386-PETS (7387), or view animals available for adoption online at www.seattleanimalshelter.org.

When temperatures soar – as they are expected to do in Seattle late this week and over the weekend – the hot weather can create hazards for pets. The Seattle Animal Shelter is reminding pet owners to take proper precaution this weekend, and, for those attending the annual Hempfest event, please leave your pets at home.

Pets, besides service animals, are not allowed at Hempfest. There is no safe place to leave or secure pets at the event, and the Seattle Animal Shelter warns pet owners against leaving animals in vehicles. Cars in direct sunlight can reach fatal temperatures within just a few minutes, and on hot days, even dogs left in the shade with the windows cracked are at risk of brain damage or death.

The shelter also reminds pet owners that a Washington law that went into effect in 2015 makes it a violation just to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle or enclosed space, if the animal could be harmed or killed by exposure to excessive heat or cold, lack of ventilation or lack of water. Penalties under the new law are in addition to potential animal cruelty charges. The Seattle Animal Shelter’s humane animal law enforcement officers responding to calls about animals left in hot cars will utilize all means necessary to access vehicles to remove the animals.

If you are bringing your service animal to Hempfest, the shelter reminds you to make sure it is not exposed to toxic substances and be sure that it has access to plenty of water during the festival.

The Seattle Animal Shelter also offers the following tips for protecting pets during the expected hot weather:

Never leave your animal unattended in direct sunlight. Provide a shady area for retreat, such as a dog house, porch or shady tree, and always provide cool water.

If you leave animals indoors, open screened windows, keep a fan running, provide plenty of water, and, if possible, leave them in a cool location.

Never leave animals unattended in a vehicle. Animals do not perspire like humans; they cool themselves by panting. Seats in vehicles get hot under animals’ feet and prevent them from perspiring through their paws. Temperatures rise quickly leaving them trapped and unable to escape the heat.

If you must travel with your pet, carry water. If a trip requires you to leave your pet in the car at any point, think about saving that for another day. It’s not worth the risk.

Avoid overexerting your animal in hot weather. Exercise is fine when taken in moderation, but extreme heat conditions, obesity, old age, breed and underlying disease can predispose an animal to the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

For birds, take caution and place the bird’s cage away from direct sunlight during the intense heat of the afternoon. Provide water and fruits and vegetables with high moisture content.

If you see an animal that may be in need of assistance, or if you have questions, contact the Seattle Animal Shelter at 206-386-PETS (7387). Visit www.seattleanimalshelter.org for other shelter information.

A kitten surveys his domain while Mayor Murray looks on at last year’s Kitty Hall event.

They’re baaack. Kittens are returning to City Hall, or Kitty Hall, as we like to call it. On Thursday, Aug. 25, Mayor Murray will once again rename Seattle City Hall as “Kitty Hall” for the day, to promote awareness of the Seattle Animal Shelter and encourage shelter cat adoptions and pet licensing.

Our Kitty Hall event will see the return of the much loved kitten tent, where folks can cuddle and play with a handful of kittens. This year, we’ll also be bringing adult cats – and the cats and some of the kittens will be available for on-site adoptions. This will be a great opportunity for you to soak in the cuteness AND add a furry friend to your family.

Of course, this event also highlights the wonderful, lifesaving work performed by Seattle Animal Shelter staff and volunteers. We’re hoping to raise funds at Kitty Hall to support that work by asking attendees to vote for their favorite “Kitty Council” member with a donation to the Seattle Animal Shelter. The cat with the most donations and votes will be named the “Kitty Council President.”

And there’s more – Kitty Hall is a great opportunity to learn more about the shelter and, if you’re a Seattle resident, pick up a pet license for your cat or dog. There will also be a kitty photo booth – because, well, everyone loves cute cat pictures, and now you can be in them.

Katy is an outstanding volunteer! Her roles (like many) aren’t flashy, and she doesn’t get in as much kitten cuddling time as she’d like. Yet she’s had an incredibly positive impact on everything from adoptions to education to fundraising (and so much more!) for the Seattle Animal Shelter. In her volunteer role as the shelter’s social media coordinator, Katy juggles what is, for many other organizations, a paid full-time job. For Katy, it’s a labor of love. She has honed the shelter’s social media presence – including reaching a following of 10,000 fans on Facebook, supporting 26 volunteer teams and promoting thousands of adoptable animals.

The impact of her efforts is felt throughout our organization, and so many animals and adopters have her to thank for lifesaving introductions. And this is in addition to the many other roles Katy has graciously volunteered for over the years, including lead positions for the Furry 5K (SAS’ biggest fundraiser of the year) and our Marketing and Events Team. Suffice it to say that Katy rocks, and SAS is incredibly luck to have her.

Online voting is open until Aug. 12, 2016. The three nominees with the highest number of votes will be announced and honored at the FUTY (From Us to You) Festival celebration on Aug. 21, 2016. Hosted by MudBay, the FUTY Festival is a celebration of all animal welfare volunteers and staff held at the historic Hangar 30 at Magnuson Park. The winners of the FUTY Festival Volunteer of Excellence award will each receive a $1,000 cash prize, and their organizations will also receive a $1,000 donation from Mud Bay.